Planning a trip to Miyajima? This beautiful island near Hiroshima is famous for its floating torii gate, historic shrines and temples, scenic mountains, local food, and peaceful waterfront.
But there is much more to Miyajima than its most famous photograph. You can explore centuries-old religious sites, walk through traditional streets, ride a ropeway into the mountains, try local specialties, and enjoy views across the Seto Inland Sea.
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning for another trip, these 10 best things to do in Miyajima will help you experience the island’s most important sights, cultural attractions, food, nature, and unique experiences.
⛩️ 1. Visit Itsukushima Shrine and the Famous Floating Torii Gate
No visit to Miyajima is complete without seeing Itsukushima Shrine, the island’s most famous attraction and one of Japan’s most recognizable landmarks.
The shrine has a long history dating back to the 6th century, and the island itself was traditionally regarded as sacred. Its distinctive buildings are constructed over the water, creating the impression that the shrine is floating above the Seto Inland Sea. The present layout developed over centuries and became closely associated with the island’s religious and cultural identity.
Just offshore stands the enormous vermilion O-torii Gate, which has become the symbol of Miyajima. The appearance changes dramatically with the tide. At high tide, the gate appears to float in the water, while at low tide, you can walk out toward it across the exposed shoreline.
Itsukushima Shrine and the surrounding area are part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, making this one of the most important cultural stops on the island.
Why visit: To experience Miyajima’s most iconic landmark and one of Japan’s most beautiful sacred sites.
📍 Location: Central Miyajima, near the waterfront
⏰ Best time to visit: Early morning or around changing tides
💡 Tip: Check the tide times before visiting if seeing the torii gate in the water is a priority.
For current visitor information, see the Miyajima Tourist Association’s Itsukushima Shrine information.
🏯 Two UNESCO Sites in One Day
Combine Hiroshima's powerful history with the beauty of Miyajima on a full-day small-group experience visiting two remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Check Availability →🦌 2. Meet Miyajima’s Famous Deer
One of the first things you’ll probably notice after arriving on Miyajima is the island’s famous deer.
The deer have become part of the Miyajima experience, particularly around the ferry terminal, shopping streets, shrine area, and waterfront. They are wild animals, however, rather than domestic pets, so visitors should enjoy watching them without feeding or disturbing them.
The Miyajima Tourist Association specifically warns that the deer may eat paper and cloth, so keep an eye on maps, tickets, brochures, clothing, and other belongings.
The deer are especially fun to encounter while walking around the island because they often appear unexpectedly beside historic buildings or along the waterfront.
Why visit: It’s one of the most memorable and distinctly Miyajima experiences.
📍 Location: Throughout the main tourist areas of Miyajima
⏰ Best time to visit: Morning or late afternoon
💡 Tip: Don’t feed the deer, and keep paper items and food securely stored.
🚡 3. Ride the Miyajima Ropeway to Mount Misen
For some of the best scenery on the island, take the Miyajima Ropeway toward Mount Misen.
The ropeway travels through the forest from Momijidani toward Shishiiwa, giving you an elevated view over Miyajima’s wooded landscape. From Shishiiwa Station, you can continue on foot toward the summit of Mount Misen. The final walk to the summit takes around 30 minutes.
Mount Misen rises to 535 meters and has been regarded as a sacred mountain for centuries. Its landscape combines dense forest, huge granite rocks, Buddhist sites, and panoramic views across the Seto Inland Sea.
The ropeway is particularly useful if you want to experience Mount Misen without committing to a full uphill hike.
Why visit: For spectacular island and Seto Inland Sea views without hiking the entire mountain.
📍 Location: Momijidani Park to Mount Misen
⏰ Best time to visit: Morning or early afternoon
💡 Tip: Ropeway service can be suspended because of strong winds, thunderstorms, or other weather conditions, so check the official website before heading up.
The official Miyajima Ropeway website has current operating information and fares.
🍁 4. Explore Omotesando Shopping Street and Try Momiji Manju
After visiting the major sights, spend some time exploring Omotesando Shopping Arcade, Miyajima’s main shopping and food street.
The area is packed with restaurants, souvenir shops, cafés, and stores selling local specialties. It is a great place to slow down between sightseeing stops and experience the more lively side of the island.
One of the foods you should try here is momiji manju, a small maple-leaf-shaped cake traditionally filled with sweet red bean paste. Today, you’ll find many variations, including different sweet fillings and modern flavors.
Miyajima is also famous for oysters, so an oyster dish is another good choice if you want to sample a local specialty.
Why visit: To experience Miyajima’s food, shopping, souvenirs, and everyday tourist atmosphere.
📍 Location: Omotesando Shopping Arcade
⏰ Best time to visit: Late morning through afternoon
💡 Tip: Try a few different versions of momiji manju rather than buying only one.
For maps and information about the shopping area, the Miyajima Tourist Association’s official maps are useful.
🏯 5. Discover Daisho-in Temple
Located at the foot of Mount Misen, Daisho-in Temple is one of Miyajima’s most important Buddhist temples and a great place to experience a quieter side of the island.
The temple belongs to the Shingon tradition of Buddhism and has a long history connected with Mount Misen. Its grounds contain numerous Buddhist statues, religious features, prayer spaces, and distinctive details that make exploring the complex feel very different from visiting the more famous Itsukushima Shrine.
Daisho-in is also connected with Mount Misen’s spiritual history. The temple offers visitors opportunities to learn more about Buddhist practices and Miyajima’s religious traditions, including meditation and other experiences.
It is also the starting point for one of the main hiking routes toward Mount Misen.
Why visit: For an atmospheric Buddhist temple and a deeper look at Miyajima’s spiritual history.
📍 Location: Near the base of Mount Misen
⏰ Best time to visit: Morning
💡 Tip: Combine Daisho-in with a Mount Misen hike if you want to make the most of the area.
The official Daisho-in Temple website provides current information about the temple and its experiences.
🏘️ 6. Wander Miyajima’s Historic Streets
Some of Miyajima’s charm comes from simply walking without a strict itinerary.
Away from the main shrine, explore the traditional streets around Machiya-dori, Omotesando, and the older residential areas. You’ll find traditional buildings, small shops, restaurants, ryokan, temples, and quiet lanes that provide a different perspective on the island.
The Miyajima Tourist Association’s official map highlights several historic streets and walking areas throughout the island, making it easy to explore beyond the busiest attractions.
Walking is also one of the best ways to notice the details that can easily be missed when moving quickly between major attractions.
Why visit: To experience Miyajima beyond its famous landmarks and discover its traditional atmosphere.
📍 Location: Central Miyajima
⏰ Best time to visit: Early morning or late afternoon
💡 Tip: Allow some unplanned time to wander instead of filling every hour with scheduled attractions.
⛩️ One-Day Hiroshima & Miyajima Tour
Explore two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in one convenient day, with a small-group setting that makes it easier to experience Hiroshima and Miyajima with a guide.
Book Your Experience →🐧 7. Visit Miyajima Public Aquarium
For something different, head toward the southern part of the island and visit Miyajima Public Aquarium.
The aquarium focuses heavily on the marine environment of the Seto Inland Sea. Exhibits include local marine life as well as penguins, otters, seals, sea lions, and other animals. The aquarium also hosts feeding sessions, educational programs, and other events.
It can be a particularly good addition if you’re traveling with children or want to take a break from temples, shrines, and hiking.
The aquarium is roughly a 25-minute walk from Miyajima Pier, according to its official access information.
Why visit: To learn about the Seto Inland Sea and enjoy a completely different side of Miyajima.
📍 Location: Southern Miyajima
⏰ Best time to visit: Midday or afternoon
💡 Tip: Check the official schedule before visiting if you want to see a particular animal event or feeding session.
For current opening information and events, visit the Miyajima Public Aquarium official website.
🌳 8. Hike Mount Misen
If you enjoy walking and nature, consider hiking Mount Misen instead of—or in addition to—taking the ropeway.
There are several established hiking routes, including routes beginning near Daisho-in and Momijidani Park. The climb provides changing views of the forest and island, while the summit area contains religious sites and viewpoints.
The Daisho-in route takes roughly 1.5–2 hours, depending on your pace, and includes a significant number of stone steps. The official Miyajima Tourist Association recommends suitable hiking footwear, plenty of water, and caution around steep sections, slippery trails, hornets, and venomous snakes.
If you’re short on time, another option is to take the ropeway up and hike the final section toward the summit.
Why visit: For Miyajima’s natural scenery, mountain atmosphere, and panoramic views.
📍 Location: Mount Misen
⏰ Best time to visit: Morning
💡 Tip: Start early, wear proper walking shoes, and avoid beginning a long hike late in the afternoon.
🛍️ 9. Shop for Miyajima Crafts and Souvenirs
Miyajima is a great place to pick up something more distinctive than a standard tourist souvenir.
Look for traditional crafts, wooden products, local sweets, decorative items, and Miyajima’s famous rice scoops, known as shakushi. The island has a long tradition of craftsmanship, and several shops and cultural facilities offer opportunities to see or experience traditional techniques.
The Miyajima Traditional Crafts Center, for example, features traditional crafts and offers hands-on experiences such as making momiji manju and creating a shakushi.
Shopping also gives you an excuse to explore streets beyond the major shrine and temple areas.
Why visit: To take home a meaningful souvenir connected to Miyajima’s local traditions.
📍 Location: Central Miyajima
⏰ Best time to visit: Afternoon
💡 Tip: Look for locally made crafts rather than buying the first souvenir you see near the ferry terminal.
🌅 10. Enjoy Miyajima’s Waterfront and Sunset
Finish your visit by slowing down and enjoying Miyajima’s waterfront.
The shoreline around the island provides constantly changing scenery depending on the tide, weather, and time of day. From the waterfront, you can look back toward the shrine, torii gate, mountains, and surrounding waters of the Seto Inland Sea.
Sunset can be particularly beautiful when the crowds begin to thin out. Staying later also lets you experience a quieter atmosphere than you may encounter during the busiest part of the day.
You don’t necessarily need a specific attraction for this part of the visit. Simply walking along the waterfront and finding a peaceful place to enjoy the scenery can become one of the most memorable parts of your trip.
Why visit: To enjoy Miyajima’s scenery at a slower pace and see the island in a different light.
📍 Location: Waterfront around central Miyajima
⏰ Best time to visit: Late afternoon and sunset
💡 Tip: Check the ferry schedule if you’re visiting as a day trip and plan enough time to return to the pier.
🗺️ How to Plan Your Miyajima Visit
Miyajima can be visited as a day trip from Hiroshima, but how much you see depends on your interests and whether you want to hike Mount Misen.
If you only have 1 day in Miyajima:
Prioritize:
Itsukushima Shrine → O-torii Gate → Omotesando → Daisho-in → Mount Misen
If you want to avoid a long hike, take the ropeway toward Mount Misen instead.
If you have 2 days:
Add:
Miyajima Public Aquarium → Historic Streets → Traditional Crafts → Waterfront/Sunset
Two days gives you more time to explore at a relaxed pace rather than rushing between the major sights.
If you have 3+ days:
Use the extra time for:
Mount Misen hiking → More temples and shrines → Cultural experiences → Local food → Slower exploration of the island
Staying overnight is also worth considering if you want to experience Miyajima after many day visitors have departed.
📌 Quick Tips for Visiting Miyajima
- 🚶 Getting around: Most of the main tourist area is easily explored on foot. The ferry terminal, Itsukushima Shrine, shopping streets, and major temples are all within walking distance.
- ⛴️ Getting to Miyajima: From Miyajimaguchi, the JR West Miyajima Ferry takes about 10 minutes to reach the island. The standard adult one-way fare is currently ¥180, with a separate ¥100 Miyajima Visitor Tax.
- 🎟️ Tickets: Check official websites before visiting major attractions, particularly if you want to use the ropeway or attend a special event.
- 🌊 Check the tides: The appearance of the O-torii Gate changes dramatically between high and low tide. Checking tide times can help you plan your visit.
- 🌤️ Best time to visit: Spring and autumn are especially attractive for comfortable sightseeing and seasonal scenery, although Miyajima is worth visiting throughout the year.
- 👟 What to wear: Comfortable walking shoes are important, especially if you plan to explore Mount Misen or walk beyond the main tourist area.
- 💧 Bring water: If you’re hiking Mount Misen, bring enough water and prepare for a much more strenuous walk than the island’s compact size might suggest.
- ⛴️ Plan your return: If you’re visiting as a day trip, check the ferry schedule before leaving the main sightseeing area. JR West Miyajima Ferry operates regular services between Miyajimaguchi and Miyajima, with the crossing taking about 10 minutes.
For current ferry access, fares, and schedules, check the official JR West Miyajima Ferry website.
📌 Final Thoughts
From the iconic floating torii gate and historic Itsukushima Shrine to Mount Misen’s forested trails and panoramic views, Miyajima offers much more than a quick photo stop.
The island combines Japanese history, religion, nature, food, traditional streets, and beautiful coastal scenery in a remarkably compact destination. You can spend a day focusing on the major sights or stay longer and explore at a slower pace.
If you’re visiting for the first time, prioritize Itsukushima Shrine, the O-torii Gate, Mount Misen, Daisho-in, and Omotesando. Then use the remaining time to explore the island’s quieter streets, local food, waterfront, and cultural attractions.
These 10 best things to do in Miyajima are a great starting point for planning your trip and discovering why this small island near Hiroshima is one of Japan’s most memorable destinations.